An Act to establish National Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
Bill C-306 designates October 19 as National Women's Entrepreneurship Day. Women-owned businesses represent approximately 18 percent of Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada 2024 data), with growth concentrated in services and retail sectors. The federal Women Entrepreneurship Strategy launched in 2018 had committed $7 billion in federal financing through Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Export Development Canada (EDC), and Farm Credit Canada for women-owned businesses by 2024. The bill aligns the federal designation with the international Women's Entrepreneurship Day (founded 2014, observed annually on November 19). Did not pass third reading.
Status
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Would designate October 19 as National Women's Entrepreneurship Day, aligning Canada with the international observance. Women own roughly 18 percent of Canadian small and medium businesses. A symbolic recognition bill; it did not pass third reading.
Issues this bill touches
- Gender Equality & Reproductive Rights
Establishes National Women's Entrepreneurship Day.
Legislative history
- First reading
First reading in the House of Commons.
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Official source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada